AFAS is the state’s leader in diagnosing and treating sports-, job- and accident-related injuries to the feet, ankles and lower legs. Our surgeons are highly respected by the medical community and are frequently consulted by other doctors in the Anchorage and Mat-Su area.

The foot and ankle are complex mechanical structures composed of many small parts that work together to perform rapidly changing duties on command. Just maintaining your balance while standing requires 100 muscles, tendons and ligaments in each foot to continuously adjust 28 bones and 30 joints. Understanding how damage affects this interactive, multi-component system requires advanced training.

In addition to medical school, our doctors received specialized education in podiatry that gives them expert knowledge of the foot and ankle, enabling them to accurately determine the extent of an injury and provide the most effective way to get you back in the game, on the trail or simply off the couch as soon as possible.

How you choose to treat an injury can determine whether it heals fully or lingers with persistent pain in the future. An improperly healed foot or ankle injury is not only painful but can lead to complications in other parts of the leg. Limping, for example, can cause knee damage.

We have extensive experience with Alaska’s athletes and weekend warriors, so our doctors know when your injury can be treated with an at-home physical therapy, a fitted brace or high-tech remedy here in our office. If your injury requires surgery, our team is the best in the state. In fact, it is not unusual for patients to travel to Alaska to get treated by our surgeons.

When to see a foot and ankle specialist

AFAS does not require a referral from another doctor, so you can come directly to a consultation with one of our specialists if you are experiencing pain, swelling, bruising, redness, or difficulty walking after an injury to your foot or ankle.

What is an injury?

The word “injury” generally refers to pain or damage caused by a specific action, such as a twisted ankle while hiking or broken toe from dropping a heavy object.

The good news is injuries are generally more easily treated than chronic conditions or diseases. So if you forgot to stretch before your last B-ball game or slipped on a submerged rock while fighting a salmon, come see us. You don’t need to live with pain, and you certainly don’t want a treatable injury to develop into something more serious.

In light of the new health mandates set by Alaska’s governor and Anchorage’s mayor, Alaska Foot and Ankle Specialists is slowly reopening to accept in-person exams. Your health and safety is of utmost importance, so we ask all patients and visitors to wear masks at all appointments and maintain social distancing of 6 feet.

If you have recently traveled or are experiencing any of these symptoms, we kindly request that you stay home or seek treatment before entering our practice. We will continue to offer telehealth visits, and you may schedule a virtual appointment by calling (907) 569-3668. If you need an over-the-counter item, please reach out via email at inquiry@akfootankle.com or by phone at (907) 569-3668.

Please continue to take care of yourselves, and we look forward to seeing you soon.